EMPLOYEES have named UK engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce the best company to work for in Britain as British employers bag 13 of the top 20 spots in the latest research.

The top ten is dominated by companies well-known for treating their staff well with employee-owned John Lewis taking third place and KPMG, which offers staff top-notch employee benefits, securing seventh place, according to the research compiled from millions of employee reviews by job site Indeed.

Rolls-Royce, which employ over 23,000 people in the UK across a huge variety of roles, functions and business areas, is best known for making engines for the world’s biggest airliners and advanced military aircraft. The manufacturer also produces low-emission power systems for ships and makes critical equipment and safety systems for the nuclear industry, and powers offshore platforms and major pipelines for the oil and gas industry.

Overseas high street names and business-to-business brands did not miss out though. Global sports giant Nike took second place, while Marriott Vacations ranked sixth. Others companies in the top 10 include Kumon, Siemens, GAME, GlaxoSmithKline, (John Lewis-owned) Waitrose, American Express and Unilever.

The research suggests employees are increasingly judging companies on their benefits and workplace flexibility as well as the salaries on offer.

“While the need to earn a salary is the imperative that makes us go to work, it’s far from the only criteria we judge work on. Benefits and workplace flexibility play an important role in workplace happiness, but they’re not the key determinants of what makes an organisation great. For most employees, feeling valued, a positive company culture and quality management matter more,” said Bill Richards, UK MD, Indeed.

“Having fun, feeling like you’re having an impact and seeing that impact extend beyond the company to the world—those are the things that make a workplace really special,” Richards said.